My era, 1979!

Chapter 76 is a separate page from the history book.

What do you think?
Those years were truly miserable for ordinary people: drivers who had to work on the road even when they were hungry, workers who had to repair dams even with broken hands, and farmers who had to work in the fields even with injured feet.

They didn't write books, but they were the pillars of the nation.

My lord, times have changed.

A master is not a title, not a treatment, not royalties, and not a lecture ticket price.

If you are a master, what have you done for the country and what have you given to the people?
Do you really care about China?

Then go down to the fields, the factories, the hospitals, the mines, and see real life for yourself.

You deserve to talk about culture if you dare to write about reality instead of romance and poetry.

True masters never look up at the stars, but look down at the ground and keep their feet firmly on the ground.

The rest can only be called theoretical strategizing.

Zhu Dongrun is a rare master of this kind.

He is a prolific writer, dares to speak the truth, and is dedicated to teaching and nurturing students.

At 82 years old, he is still on the front line of postgraduate teaching, burning brightly through the years.

past life.

The last paragraph of Zhu Lao's "Biography of Zhang Juzheng" once moved Xu Chengjun the most.

He wrote in the book:

"The whole of China is not just a matter for one family or one clan. When anyone traces their ancestry, they will always find many moving and inspiring stories, some more illustrious than others. But when we think of our ancestors who fought for freedom, strived for development, and even shed blood for survival, we see boundless glory in the past and will surely have even greater expectations for the future. Forward, sons and daughters of the Chinese nation!"

This book was written by Mr. Zhu in 1943, the year the War of Resistance against Japan broke out in full force, when large swathes of the country were being trampled upon by the Japanese.

However, the Kuomintang government, which had already moved to Chongqing, still held the idea that "internal pacification must come before external resistance."

The situation during the War of Resistance against Japan was extremely dire, with the people suffering and the country falling into enemy hands.

At times like these, the truth is especially precious.

The Republic of China era was full of remarkable figures. Although Mr. Zhu was not particularly charismatic, he neither smoked, drank, nor frequented brothels, and wrote his own legend with his life.

He was the master in Xu Chengjun's heart.

Xu Chengjun never thought of himself as some kind of "perfect" person.

That's so damn tiring!
He loves luxury cars and beautiful women; he wants to live in a big house!

But with basic material desires readily available, shouldn't we pursue something more sophisticated?

Maslow initially divided human needs into five levels: physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

Later, cognitive and aesthetic elements were added, making it seven layers.

What do you want from Xu Chengjun?
Xu Chengjun: I want them all! (Emoji should be here)

How to achieve self-actualization?

When one is successful, one should help others; when one is unsuccessful, one should cultivate one's own virtue.

The allure of having one's name recorded in history, and the prospect of having a dedicated page in the annals of history, is irresistible to every scholar-official.

Therefore, he wanted to be a "down-to-earth" master.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Xu Chengjun has been appearing in Zhang Peiheng's office every night at seven o'clock without fail these past few days.

To be honest, if we set aside the initial prejudice against him, this "senior brother" has a personality somewhat similar to that of Chief Editor Zhou Ming.

They are all people with a free and unrestrained spirit in their bones.

If I had to pinpoint a difference, it would be that one is the sharp edge honed by a rough stone, while the other is the elegance contained within a jade cup. Is that a bit unfair to Lao Zhou?

Xu Chengjun: I really didn't forget the old people when there were new ones!
When Xu Chengjun handed over the neatly revised thesis.

Zhang Peiheng was leaning back in a rattan chair, holding a yellowed thread-bound book in his hand. The cover of the book was titled "Collected Works of Li Bai". Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on his slightly worn white shirt, giving him a leisurely air of "a hermit in the city".

He took the paper, tapped the edge of the page lightly, and then focused on reading it word by word.

The previous relaxed mood vanished instantly, leaving only the rigor of scholarship.

After a moment, he raised an eyebrow: "Chengjun, this paper is decent!"

His voice was filled with undisguised smugness, “The restlessness that was just floating on the surface before has been smoothed out, the foundation of the literature has been laid firmly, and the argument will naturally stand! Some things that were previously said in circles before are now clearly stated with a single stroke of the axe—good!”

Xu Chengjun pursed his lips.

Just as I was about to thank him,

Professor Zhang had already grabbed the chipped enamel mug on the table, tilted his head back and gulped down a large mouthful of strong tea. His laughter, which was so loud it seemed to shake the window paper, was so loud that his Adam's apple bobbed.

No!

Your attitude now is quite different from before!

boss!

"The master often says that writing should reveal the person and their heart, and at least this piece of yours doesn't sound like it's all cotton wool. Take it to the master, and he'll surely stroke his beard and say, 'This lad hasn't had a moment's rest these past few days!'"

As she spoke, she shoved the paper into Xu Chengjun's arms, slapping his arm hard with her palm, her hand warm as she said, "If you need any further polishing in the future, just come to me. Don't be so petty and dawdle like that!"

Looking into the open light in his eyes, Xu Chengjun felt the previous estrangement caused by prejudice had long since dissipated, leaving only admiration for his frankness.

Why do I admire him?

Every night from 7 pm to 11 pm, I'll take you to study, giving you books and asking about your everyday life.

He would often slip Xu Chengjun some tea leaves or snacks.

They even asked about Xu Chengjun's sister's schooling.

This isn't just a matter of changing one's temperament quickly.
Clearly, all the previous formalities had been discarded, revealing his true nature of being "clear-cut in his likes and dislikes, and upright and frank."

Does this embody the spirit of "refusing to board the emperor's boat when summoned"?

Seeing him lost in thought, Zhang Peiheng waved his hand and urged, "Go quickly! If you dawdle any longer, the master will be waiting in the study with his beard curled up in anger!"

Hey, so you've finally shown your true colors?
As soon as he finished speaking, he picked up the thread-bound book again and began reading it nonchalantly.

The previous boldness and the present leisure seamlessly connect, but it is true that "elegance does not lie in eloquent speech, but in silent contemplation."

However, not long after, he seemed to realize something was wrong, so he added with a straight face.

"When we get home, make sure you read all the books I gave you carefully and take thorough notes. I'll test you when we get back. If you can't answer the questions, you'll have to go back to your undergraduate studies!"

"Just watch you."

"Go! Go! Go."

Xu Chengjun:
I think it would be better if Old Zhang were more serious?
That same day, he went to the faculty dormitory and handed the paper to Zhu Dongrun.

After reading it, Professor Zhu didn't say much, still maintaining his kind demeanor, and only left the paper.

"School starts on September 3rd this year. I'll come over ten days before you go home to visit your family."

That evening, Xu Chengjun returned to the educated youth guesthouse. He figured that the next time he saw Wang Zengqi, this "last scholar-official of China" would inevitably lecture him for half an hour about "social order and ethics."

Hey! We've arrived in 1979! Celebrities have met us, masters have paid homage, our small goals have been achieved, what more can we ask for!
Ten minutes of awesomeness!

However, I've been in Shanghai for about ten days now, and to be honest, I miss Xujiatun a bit, and I also miss my friends and teachers in Hefei a bit.

(End of this chapter)